Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau has found himself at the center of intense scrutiny, with analyst Denis Gauthier publicly suggesting that his time with the franchise may be nearing its end. Speaking on a recent hockey broadcast, Gauthier was candid about his assessment of Primeau’s performance and his fit within the Canadiens’ long-term plans.
Denis Gauthier, a former NHL defenseman turned analyst, didn’t hold back in his critique. He emphasized the challenges Primeau has faced in his transition to the NHL level and raised questions about whether he has the potential to thrive in Montreal’s competitive environment.
“If I were in charge, I would be seriously considering moving on from Cayden Primeau,” Gauthier stated. “He’s had opportunities to prove himself, but the results haven’t been there consistently. The Canadiens need stability in the crease, and I’m not sure Primeau can provide that.”
Cayden Primeau, the son of former NHL forward Keith Primeau, was drafted 199th overall by the Canadiens in 2017. After a promising collegiate career at Northeastern University, where he won the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA’s top goaltender, Primeau was touted as a key piece of Montreal’s future in net.
Since turning pro, Primeau’s performance has been a mixed bag. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency at the NHL level has raised concerns. In 21 NHL appearances, Primeau has struggled to find his footing, posting a 4-12-2 record with a .890 save percentage and a 3.67 goals-against average.
The Canadiens have no shortage of goaltending prospects, including Samuel Montembeault and Jakob Dobes, both of whom have been making strides in their development. With Jake Allen providing veteran stability, the team faces a crowded crease, making Primeau’s position more precarious.
Gauthier pointed to the depth in the organization as a reason to explore other options:
“The Canadiens have promising young goaltenders in the pipeline. It might be time to give them a chance and let Primeau find a fresh start elsewhere. Sometimes a change of scenery is what a player needs to reignite their career.”
Gauthier’s comments have sparked a lively debate among Canadiens fans and hockey pundits. Some agree with his assessment, arguing that Primeau has had ample opportunity to prove himself but has failed to meet expectations.
Others, however, believe that Primeau’s struggles are a reflection of the team’s overall defensive issues and that the young goaltender deserves more time to develop.
“This kid has talent; he’s just not NHL-ready yet. Sending him down to the AHL to build confidence could be the best solution,” one fan commented on social media.
Primeau’s immediate future with the Canadiens could hinge on how he performs in training camp and the early stages of the season. If he fails to solidify his place on the roster, a trade or reassignment to the AHL’s Laval Rocket may be on the horizon.
For the Canadiens, the decision is a delicate one. Moving on from Primeau would mean giving up on a player who was once seen as a potential heir to Carey Price’s throne. However, keeping him in the fold could delay the development of other promising prospects.
As the Canadiens continue to navigate their rebuild, difficult decisions like Cayden Primeau’s future will be unavoidable. Denis Gauthier’s blunt assessment has added fuel to the conversation, but the ultimate decision will rest with general manager Kent Hughes and the Canadiens’ coaching staff.
For Primeau, the challenge is clear: prove he belongs in Montreal’s plans or risk finding himself in search of a new opportunity. With the season fast approaching, the clock is ticking for the young goaltender to make his mark.